The Juventus squad were caught between a rock and a hard place when invited to the White House to meet United States president Donald Trump as part of their Club World Cup tour.
As the squad posed for photos with the president, Trump asked them for their thoughts on transgender women competing in sport.
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Trump, who signed an executive order back in February banning transgender participants from women’s sports, addressed the Juventus players lining up behind him and asked: “Could a woman make your team fellas?”
The players refused to answer the question and remained silent as photographers snapped pictures of the awkward encounter.
When Trump repeated his question, Juventus general manager Damien Comolli replied that the club “have a very good women’s team” but that didn’t satisfy the president.
“But they should be playing with women,” Trump responded as Comolli deflected the question. “He’s being very diplomatic.”
Debate continues to grow over the rights of trans people in the United States as the US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a Tennessee state law banning gender-affirming care for minors would be allowed to stand. The ruling could set a precedent for other lawsuits involving the rights of transgender children.
Meanwhile, Juventus will be back in action on Sunday when they face Wydad AC in Philadelphia. The Italian giants won their opening Club World Cup match 5-0 against Saudi Pro League side Al-Ain thanks to goals from Randal Kolo Muani (x2), Francisco Conceicao (x2) and Kenan Yildiz.
Of that win Juventus coach, Igor Tudor, said: “There was lovely energy between the players. That desire to work hard for one another, to run for one another. We are going in the right direction.”
Juve now sit top of Group G alongside Manchester City who defeated Wydad 2-0 on Wednesday in their opening match of the tournament.
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